April 4, 2008

Trees for Life

In a symbolic action on Monday, March 31 st Bethlehem University students, staff and faculty belonging to the new planted trees on campus to assert the protection of and care for the environment and to draw attention to the continued confiscation and destruction of Palestinian land and property.

“Especially for the Palestinians, trees symbolize life,” George Matar, a second year Accounting major and member of the new Environmental Club at Bethlehem University , said. “This is not only an environmental activity it is also a message to the Israelis that we are still here, that we will not leave our land, our trees or our homes. It is a message to say, ‘You cannot sever our roots,'” he added.

Organized by the Environmental Club under the direction of the Dean of Students Office in cooperation with the Palestine Wildlife Society, the occasion of Land Day provided an opportunity for the university community to show together its desire for a clean, healthy and green environment. “We are trying to improve the environment in Bethlehem and Palestine . In the future we want to plant trees in other places outside the University and we want to encourage young people to clean up our environment,” said Br. Peter Iorlano, Coordinator of Institutional Values, during the commencement of the activity.

Mr. Emad Atrash, Coordinator of Activities for Environmental Clubs in schools and universities for the Palestine Wildlife Society in Beit Sahour, was also present for the occasion; he helped found the Scholastic Environmental Club at several universities in Palestine , including Bethlehem University . “People need to have a vested interest in their environment,” he said. “We need to focus on getting the support of students and young people, because ultimately it will be their energy and commitment that will bring others into the fold,” he added.

“The environment is a new issue for our students, but I believe it is very important to start with such a program as it is the time to change and create new policy,” Ms. May Jaber, Assistant to Dean of Students at Bethlehem University, said, referring to the Environmental Club. “This initiative needs a lot of effort, work and cooperation and I count on the students who really care to help keep this going,” she added.

Initially, Land Day commemorated the killing of six Palestinians in the Galilee on March 30, 1976 by Israeli troops during peaceful protests over the confiscation of Palestinian lands. It has since become a day for demonstration linking all Palestinians in their struggle against occupation, and for self-determination and national liberation. Since 1967 Israel has confiscated more than 750,000 acres of land from the 1.5 million acres comprising the West Bank and Gaza . The Environmental Club at Bethlehem University took the occasion of Land Day to speak about the importance of environmental awareness in Palestine .